My Boss's Toy

Chapter 3

The next day, I was wearing one of my nicest pantsuits. My hair was in a perfect bun and my makeup was minimal, but I had decided at the last minute for a smokey eye to make my blue-grey eyes pop. They were often pointed out as my best feature. I wanted to put my best foot forward today. I rode the elevator to the top floor of the huge building. Though I need permission to even make it go all the way up there. I would get my own keycard if I got the job. Once it was set for the top floor, it would not stop on any other floor I was told, so I rode alone.

As the doors opened I stepped out into the huge waiting area. The whole floor was just one office so they had plenty of space. I pushed my glasses up my nose as I approached the woman at the huge desk. She smiled.

"You must be Miss Botha. Nice to meet you." She said as she stood and held out her hand. I shook it with a smile as her eyes looked over me. She frowned softly. "You might consider a skirt. The boss doesn't like pants much on women."

"Thank you for the advice and please call me Kifahari," I said in a polite tone. I had heard that before. Men liked to ogle at their secretaries even with no intention of flirting with them. That's why I preferred the pants to begin with. She gestured me to the large doors that led into the office.

"You are right on time. He is expecting you." I nodded and walked to the door with my head held high. "Good luck." She said softly as I passed. I smiled my thanks to her as I pulled open the surprisingly heavy door. The room was even more fancy than the lobby or the waiting area. The back wall was completely windows and the floor a rich dark wood. There were a couple of leather couches and armchairs on the side and two leather chairs in front of a massive black desk. There were a couple of bookcases and storage cases all with locks keeping people out.

At the very back sat a safe on a pedestal and a large-backed black leather chair. In said chair was the CEO, Xavier Marchetti. Rich, powerful, handsome, and single. My soon-to-be brother-in-law. He had the same dirty blonde hair as Atticus but he was quite a bit lighter. His eyes were a deep green from what I could see. I figured they probably were just like his sister's eyes. We had never actually met in person, despite Atticus and I being dating for almost four years now. He lounged in his chair with his left leg resting on his right knee. I stepped forward as he watched me approach with an intense stare.

A couple of things I learned about this man from his brother. His intensity was one of them. Atticus said he scared people without saying a word and now I could see why. He also didn't suffer fools and so it was a good thing I was not one. Lastly, he preferred to speak less and act more. So I was prepared for any shortness he might have with me. As I stopped next to the chairs without looking at them, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"So you are the infamous Kifa." He spoke in a deep voice that resembled his brother's but at the opposite end of the spectrum. While I would relate Atticus's voice to an excited puppy, Xavier's reminded me of a brooding dragon.

"Respectfully, sir, I prefer Kifahari. Future family or not, I don't know you well enough for us to be so informal." His eyes narrowed for a moment but his lip curled in a soft smile. His eyes gleamed with respect and he gestured to the seat next to me.

"Kifahari it is then. Take a seat." I nodded my thanks as I sat down. He looked me over once more. "Is this your normal attire?"

"For work it is sir, yes." He nodded more to himself and then he looked down at my pants.

"Do you wear pants outside of work?"

"If it calls for it," I answered honestly and he let out a soft single chuckle. He looked at his laptop open on the desk, which I hadn't noticed. It was angled in a way so that I could see my details pulled up. My license picture sat at the top. Full makeup, dress, hair down, no glasses, and a slightly flirty smile.

"You don't wear glasses do you?" He asked as I looked back at him. He raised an eyebrow softly and I knew that he was fully aware of the facts.

"No sir, I do not need them." He held out his hand and I hesitated for a moment. Then I pulled my glasses off and handed them to him. He put them in a drawer of his desk.

"That's an improvement at least." He commented as he looked me over once more. "More importantly, I dislike those who use such things for looks." I flinched lightly at the accusation in his tone.

"Not for looks, sir. To keep myself and others professional," I explained, and he raised an eyebrow again. He glanced toward the picture on his laptop and smirked softly. He placed his elbows on the arms of his chair and laced his fingers together in front of him. I sat straight at his intense gaze as he seemed to visually probe me for a weakness in my professional air. Finally, he stood from his seat.

"You're hired." He said simply and gestured for me to follow him as he walked out of the office. I took a stunned moment before I hurried after him. As we approached the secretary's desk, the woman jumped up to greet him. "Give her the rundown and shadow her for the day. Start with the list I am expecting someone to drop by." She nodded and gave a couple of 'yes sirs' to him as he spoke. Then, without another word, he turned and went back into his office, leaving us alone.

"Congratulations." The woman beamed brightly at me. She typed on her keyboard to log in and clicked on one of the only two files on the desktop. "This is what he means. A list of approved people. They may go in to see Mister Marchetti when they stop by, no questions asked unless he is already in a meeting." She gestured to the screen that had several names I recognized along with pictures to identify them. Several high-powered CEOs and even a fashion designer. Plus Atticus and their younger sister as well. I nodded my understanding.

"Do you have a rundown questionnaire for anybody else?" She smiled as I asked that and pulled open a drawer to hand me a small stack of papers.

"I included it in this welcome pack I made for you. It has all the important numbers and emails too. As well as Mister Marchetti's secondary login for when you have to post things from him when he is out of the office. Everyone will know it's from you though, so I don't advise trying to take advantage of it for anything dubious." I glanced over the papers briefly. It was quite the work she had put in for me. A professional just like me then. "Also an important note. Mister Marchetti hates being interrupted unless it is an absolute emergency. This intercom is one way for direct speaking. Though you can send him a message, he will not check it if he is busy." I nodded my understanding once more. He seemed the type to hate something like that.

The elevator opened and a gorgeous woman stepped out of it. She smiled at us and walked with confidence into the office. I glanced at the computer to see her name on the list. I didn't know her, however. Maybe she was rich or from a wealthy family? Not that it was any of my business. She was on the list and so she got in. Not like it was even easy to get to this floor in the first place. Security had nearly stopped me and I was almost related to him.